PM Phuc: Vietnam, Australia to sign educational cooperation agreement

VOV.VN -Vietnam and Australia are to sign an educational cooperation agreement, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc when visiting the Australian National University (ANU) right after his arrival in Canberra on March 14.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc gives a speech at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra. 
The figure of around 30,000 Vietnamese students studying in Australia, the highest number of Vietnamese students in a foreign country shows that Vietnamese parents and students have placed great trust in Australian universities, PM Phuc said, adding that up to 60,000 Vietnamese graduates from Australian educational facilities have returned home to serve the nation.

Founded in 1946, the ANU is the only university to have been created by the Parliament of Australia. It is a university with a strong academic standing and is one of the top 10 research universities in the world. The University currently has more than 12,000 local and international students enrolled.

Taking to ANU lecturers and students, Mr Phuc introduced them to Vietnam as a dynamic economy and applauded Australia’s assistance for the country, saying the country has set up trade ties with over 230 countries and territories worldwide and signed 12 free trade agreements (FTAs). 

Vietnam has also participated in many international organisations such as the UN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), he said. 

Responding to a question from the ANU Chancellor, the PM said the Vietnamese government has continuously improved the investment environment and that its national economic growth has been acknowledged by prestigious organizations such as the World Bank and the World Economic Forum.

PM Phuc greets AUN leaders.

“I hope that the Australian National University will continue to expand connectivity with Vietnam’s educational institutions in experience sharing, scientific research, and student exchanges. We will create all favorable conditions for the University and other institutions of Australia to step up educational cooperation with Vietnam,” he said.

The Vietnamese government leader said that the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training is to sign a cooperation agreement with the Australian Department of Education and Training for 2018-2023.

He also informed them that during his ongoing visit to Australia, the two sides will officially elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership. 

The PM highly appreciated Australia's support for and cooperation with Vietnam, notably in education, high-tech agriculture and climate change adaptation. The two countries have cooperated at numerous multilateral forums and engaged together in many trade and investment agreements in the region, and most recently the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).  Both nations have shared views on many issues related to peacekeeping and regional security, including the East Sea issue.

PM Phuc said apart from cooperation in trade, investment and other fields, cooperation in education-training should be solidified after the two countries upgrade their relationship to a strategic partnership. 

Following the talk, PM Phuc had a roundtable with ANU leaders, during which he extolled the fruitful relationship between Vietnam and Australia, particularly in education and training. 

Later the same day, PM Phuc met with Vietnamese Embassy staff and Vietnamese community representatives in Australia. 

He praised the strong Vietnamese community, who has worked towards their homeland and been successful, saying the Party and State consider overseas Vietnamese an inseparable part of the nation. 

The Vietnamese government leader also updated them on the country's current situation, noting that the first quarter of this year saw the national economy grew at 7.4%, the highest number ever seen. He expressed his belief that all the set targets and assigned tasks are likely to be fulfilled this year.

To  mark this occasion, PM Phuc witnessed the inauguration of  the 40-member Vietnamese Scientists’ Club in Canberra.

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